BS OHSAS 18001 Revision

New International Standard for Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems

A new ISO standard, ISO 45001, on occupational health and safety management system requirements is being produced by a Project Committee, ISO PC 283, with the intention of publication in October 2016. The standard will be aligned with ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), which are themselves undergoing revision and are due for publication in 2015.

The project committee responsible for the production of this work met for the first time in London between 21 and 25 October 2013 and produced its first working draft. There are at present approximately 50 countries and international organizations such as the International Labour Organization involved in this work.

What happens next?

The committee will meet a number of times over the course of the next three years to develop the new standard and gain consensus from all countries involved. The anticipated timescales which are subject to change are:

Committee draft Q2 2014

Draft International Standard (DIS) Q4 2014

Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) 2015

International Standard (ISO) Q4 2016

We will keep you updated throughout the process so remember to check back for further developments.

I’m interested in certifying to BS OHSAS 18001 now. What should I do?

BS OHSAS 18001 is still valid and it is envisaged will be for some time after the new ISO Standard is published. Companies will still benefit from implementing and certifying against BS OHSAS 18001 and certification will be allowed for a period of time following the publication of ISO 45001 in 2016. The exact details with regards to a transition policy and schedule are yet to be developed.

I’m currently certified to BS OHSAS 18001. What do I need to do?

Once the revised standard has been published in 2016, BSI will support you through a transition process to ISO 45001. A transition period will be set and we will provide you with guidelines and training to help you make your transition as smooth as possible.

Part of the reason that BSI is the first choice provider for certification is that we will support you through standard changes and revisions, helping you to understand how the changes affect – and benefit – your organization.

Check back here regularly to gain the latest insight into the development of the new standard.